Town parking seal of approval

SECURITY for drivers at Middlesbrough’s Clairville Stadium has received an official seal of approval as the recently-refurbished car park on Park Road South has been granted the police-backed Safer Parking Award.

SECURITY for drivers at Middlesbrough’s Clairville Stadium has received an official seal of approval as the recently-refurbished car park on Park Road South has been granted the police-backed Safer Parking Award.

The assessment says it has a user-friendly, non-threatening environment, good, clearly marked bays, good signage and good management practices, and the area is well lit, has CCTV and a very low crime rate.

Gerry McBride, Middlesbrough Council’s corporate security officer, said: “This is the second of our site car parks - the TAD Centre has already been recognised - to achieve the award and we will strive to achieve the Safer Parking Award across our other car parks.”

Supt Steve Sugden, Middlesbrough’s District Commander, said: “Through effective partnership working, we’ve made huge reductions in vehicle crime in Middlesbrough in recent years. It’s really important for people using the town’s amenities to be confident that their cars will still be there when they return to them.

“Schemes like this mean we can give people that confidence and help to make sure the town is seen to be a safe place in which to live, work and socialise.”

Phil Taylor from the British Parking Association said Safer Parking is a scheme which designed out crime and set standards for car parking facilities.

“Clairville Stadium is an excellent example of a safer parking scheme,” said PC Eddie Lincoln, Cleveland Police’s Accredited Assessor. “The car park facilities not only address potential crime but more importantly the fear of crime. Users should feel safe in the knowledge their vehicle is more likely to be there and in one piece when they return to it.”

Brenda Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s executive councillor for public health and sport, said: “Car crime levels have fallen dramatically in recent years, but we can never be complacent.”